The latest Ryan Franklin MLB and fantasy baseball news

The St. Louis Cardinals hired free-agent RP Ryan Franklin (Cardinals) as a scout Wednesday, Dec. 7. He will help evaluate players in Oklahoma and perhaps elsewhere after officially retiring from baseball.

The St. Louis Cardinals are expected to make a decision on RP Ryan Franklin before they leave for Tampa Bay Thursday, June 30. Franklin allowed another homer Tuesday, June 28, and has an 8.46 ERA on the season. Manager Tony La Russa met with Franklin moments after taking the ball from him in the eighth inning and later acknowledged considering "creative" alternatives. The club has pondered placing Franklin on the disabled list, though La Russa described the pitcher as healthy after the game. Franklin could also be designated for assignment, where he'll have 10 days to decide whether he'll accept a minor-league assignment or request free agency.

St. Louis Cardinals RP Ryan Franklin struck out the side in a perfect eighth inning Tuesday, May 31, against the San Francisco Giants, picking up his first relief victory. It was his first win since July 30 in his first home appearance dating back to April 23. He has worked three straight scoreless outings over 4 2/3 innings. "It feels good," Franklin said. "It feels real good."

St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Saturday, May 7, that he would like to see RP Ryan Franklin get some future opportunities to finish games. "Whoever is available and whoever is hot," Mozeliak said about the closer-by-committee approach. "Still, we'd like to get Franklin into that mix. We have to make the opportunity available (to him). If you are in the snake-bitten mode the only way to get out of it is pitching."